# If phosphine is present, what produces it? · Phosphine in the clouds of Venus > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1V766YX6/if-phosphine-is-present-what-produces-it Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:59:05+00:00 --- **0** # If phosphine is present, what produces it? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·3 answers·0·0 following **Three answers, none ahead** None is ahead yet. See what would settle it. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. ## Why it matters Phosphine should not survive in Venus's oxidising atmosphere, and surveys of known abiotic routes find none that makes enough⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1M4M3WJG/phosphine-on-venus-cannot-be-explained-by-conventional)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1MCE6E7D/source-of-phosphine-on-venusan-unsolved-problem). A confirmed detection would mean either a gap in Venus chemistry or something stranger. ## Answers 3 [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/answers/ANS0CQY24884XZM/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**Production by microbes living in the clouds.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/answers/ANS0CQY23RM582W/production-by-microbes-living-in-the-clouds) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible [**Unknown photochemistry or geochemistry.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/venus-phosphine/answers/ANS0CQY23164PM1/unknown-photochemistry-or-geochemistry) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible ## History 1. 2020[Greaves et al. puts forward: unknown photochemistry or geochemistry.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1GQ84YF1/phosphine-gas-in-the-cloud-decks-of-venus) 1. 2020[Greaves et al. puts forward: production by microbes living in the clouds.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1GQ84YF1/phosphine-gas-in-the-cloud-decks-of-venus) 1. 2021[Mogul et al.: pioneer Venus spectra suggest several reduced species and redox disequilibrium in the middle clouds.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1KD652Z5/venus-mass-spectra-show-signs-of-disequilibria-in-the-middle)For: Unknown photochemistry or geochemistry. 1. 2024[Bains et al.: no known gas-phase, surface, subsurface or photochemical route produces enough phosphine.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1MCE6E7D/source-of-phosphine-on-venusan-unsolved-problem)Against: Unknown photochemistry or geochemistry. 1. 2024[Bains et al.: the authors present a strictly aerial biosphere as an extreme possibility, not a conclusion.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQY1MCE6E7D/source-of-phosphine-on-venusan-unsolved-problem)For: Production by microbes living in the clouds. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1V766YX6/if-phosphine-is-present-what-produces-it%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1V766YX6/if-phosphine-is-present-what-produces-it%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1V766YX6/if-phosphine-is-present-what-produces-it%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1V766YX6/if-phosphine-is-present-what-produces-it%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/venus-phosphine/questions/QST0CQY1V766YX6/if-phosphine-is-present-what-produces-it%23add-source) Where it fits Phosphine in the clouds of Venus **If phosphine is present, what produces it?** Key question · you're here [ Ask a question under this one ]